59 Acre Family Farm is more than a patchwork of blooms in the countryside — it is a living tapestry woven from passion, hard work, and a vision.

I first became inspired to grow, propagate, and save dahlia seeds by Erin Benzakein, owner of Floret Flowers. I purchased her book, “Discovering Dahlias,” and took her farming course. I was intrigued by the fact that when growing dahlias from seed, you never know what you’re going to get. This is how new dahlia varieties are discovered. Last year, we were successful in discovering a beautiful new dahlia seedling with a light purple and white bloom. Unfortunately, we were not able to save it over winter. Trying to save dahlia tubers through Michigan winters are difficult. Imagine saving a potato all winter long. It takes great care to ensure they do not rot or dry up and wither away.

Unlike industrial-scale floral operations, 59 Acre Family Farm utilizes just a few acres to grow flowers. Each bed, row, and border is cared for with love by hand. The Bates family has owned and farmed this property for over 100 years. This is my childhood home. It was important to my grandfather, Albert Bates, that the farm continues to be utilized and stay in the family. Although I do not think he would have envisioned all the flowers. Forty acres of farmland are rented out to a local farmer, and the remaining 10 are available for our use.

59 Acre Family Farm takes pride in growing a diverse selection of blooms, from classic lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, native wildflowers, annual and perennial flowers mostly grown by seed. The focus is not on vast monocultures, but on diversity, seasonality, and the cultivation of beauty. We sell flowers at our small rustic roadside stand at our home at 7275 M-32 West, in Alpena, just west of the airport. Our fresh or dried blooms can also be found at the Sunrise SideCo-op Market at 401 E. Chisholm St. in Alpena. They can also be seen in flower arrangements from Flowerland Designs on U.S.-23 South, Alpena. We offer a build a bouquet flower stand and sign to rent for events such as bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and baby showers. I also make flower arrangements for weddings and events. If you prefer to arrange your own flowers, you can purchase them by stem or bucket. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Courtesy Photo People gather with bouquets made at a recent U-Pick event at 59 Acre Family Farm.

At the heart of our small flower farm beats a passion for growing and a vision. We love to garden, strive to preserve nature, and grow as naturally as possible. Sharing beauty with our community makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it. For me, being able to farm where I grew up is a lifelong dream realized. Mornings in the flower patch are my favorite. Bumble bees nap on flower blooms and I have to be careful not to pick them with the flowers. Butterflies, hummingbirds, honey bees, and hummingbird moths also enjoy our flowers. Wildlife can create a challenge as well. Deer, rabbits, mice, moles, and insects play a role in where new flower farmers may want to place their flower beds, and what they may want to plant in them. This year, we struggled with Japanese beetles demolishing peony blooms once they opened. My advice for starting a flower farm, aside from noting wildlife that may be a nuisance, is to invest in your soil. Poor soil health leads to poor plant yields. It may also be beneficial to trial different flower varieties in your growing area before investing large amounts of time and money.

We recently started drying and pressing flowers to use for crafting and hope to start some wreath building and pumpkin decorating workshops utilizing these beautiful blooms this fall. Future plans for the farm include a U-Pick flower option on the weekends. We have been setting up a relaxing, calm environment that we hope to share with all of you next flower season. We have also been collecting seeds and will be offering them for purchase from the flower varieties we have been planting. This will include Salvia, Rudbeckia, and Calendula, to name a few. Speaking of seeds: The last two years we have been saving dahlia seeds and planting them to find new varieties of dahlia. Every so often we find a keeper. This year, it is a beautiful yellow bloom we have yet to name. So exciting! Hoping to find more 59 Acre Family Farm original dahlia in the upcoming years.

Running a flower farm is too much work for just me, as I also work casually as a Registered Nurse at the hospital in Alpena. I am so grateful for the help of Trenten Villeneuve, my right-hand man, as well as my husband John Compeau, and my dad, Leonard Bates. John has built a greenhouse and a gazebo at the farm, and he helps my dad with all of the tractor work. If you’re looking for flowers for a special occasion, or just because, stop by our farmstand, the Sunrise Side Co-Op, or contact the farm directly. We can be found on Facebook at 59 Acre Family Farm and Instagram: 59_acre_family_farm. We post on both pages, so be sure to follow us for the latest flower bouquets, workshops and dried flower crafts, and supplies.

Courtesy Photo A fresh bouquet featuring pink, purple, and white flowers from 59 Acre Family Farm.

Courtesy Photo Dried strawflower is seen at 59 Acre Family Farm.

Courtesy Photo Dahlia seeds are seen at 59 Acre Family Farm.